All posts tagged: cook

Whispering Sponge

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Things have been busy, buzzing like a bee, hovering over a full Spring bloom. Not too much time in the kitchen for me this week, so I share with you my sisters work this week. She had a catering job, to prepare a birthday cake. The order was for one of her whispering blow away sponges. Now my mum is a champion sponge maker diva, and she’s passed on her secrets to us, although truth be it that I’ve never tackled one myself..not to disappoint! So I’ll just keep the secret onboard until I make one! What better way than to serve Sponge, filled with strawberry jam, fresh chocolate coated strawberries and fresh cream. Read on for the this special recipe…

Italian Almond Cupcakes

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On visiting Tandy’s blog, Lavender and Lime her challenge for this week was to bake something sweet using almonds. Looking through some new acquired cookbook magazines, my Mum asked if I had tried a  recipe  – Italian Almond Cupcakes….on the same day visiting Tandy’s blog. Coincidence –  I decided to try the recipe and link back to join Tandy and her baking challenge. On further research of the recipe…the advertisement in the magazine was saying Italian Almond Cupcakes and the main ingredient  –  Dilmah’s Exceptional Tea. An adventure begins…

A touch of Hope

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Today in Australia, August 26th is Daffodil Day. The Daffodil is the international symbol of hope for all those touched by cancer. So today my life is touched with golden yellow flowers, of Daffodils, sunshine, cupcakes and marshmallows. The daffodil is a sign of HOPE for a brighter, cancer free future, and funds raised today are essential for cancer research, prevention and support services. Fresh Daffodils were on sale at retail outlets, and for every fresh bunch sold $1.00 (Aus) was given to the Australian Cancer Foundation. Theres every chance within our lifetime, our lives will be touched by cancer, either directly or through the experience of family and friends. So I’m sharing some golden sunshine with you, friends. How about trying these wonderfully decorated cupcakes. Aren’t they just special. I’ve seen these before around blogland and have been wanting to try them for some time.You’ll enjoy this video found here and its even more enjoyable making them. Firstly make a basic cupcake recipe.My favourite one bowl wonder plain cake mixture recipe found here. Then …

Baking Vanilla Apple Cake

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My goodness, its been a while since I’ve baked something, so I’m happy to share this moment with you. The sun was shining through the windows and the kitchen had a warming magnetism, and in my head I could hear a voice saying come on Yvette, get creative and make something delicious for morning tea.   So not resisting, I made something that I know the children love as well. The fruit bowl had an overload of apples, so the choice was easy Vanilla Apple Cake. This my friends is a little something, petite isn’t it. It’s a Royal Albert petite china Christmas decoration. Design ‘Old Country Roses’. The little cup is actually joined to the saucer and has a beautiful ribbon with embossed gold calligraphy. Can you imagine your Christmas tree decorated with these and full of fairy lights. I know you won’t be able to resist this apple cake, so read on for the recipe…

Chocolate custard cream horns

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Life in the kitchen has been missed. However, this week we had an opportunity to make something to satisfy our sweet tooth desires. Chocolate custard and cream filled pastry horns. What a mouth full, I can assure you the title is long but the recipe is simple.   I recommend this treat to anyone who doesn’t have much time to spare, if your planning a dinner time treat. Simplicity as it’s highest! Read on for the recipe.

Creamy Cauliflower & Curry Soup

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Autumn leaves are falling, a chill in the moonlight evening and what better way to warm your insides than with this creamy cauliflower soup.  The  warming sensation of blended spices  in the curry powder linger with every spoonful of this delicious creamy soup. So how does one get a full flavoured and bodied soup? One that’s going to warm the soul and not take the whole day to boil and bubble and simmer on the stove for six hours. Starting from a good base, sautéing vegetables and spices and gradually layering flavours. And let’s not forget the all important secret of any hearty soup or stew, the Rue. Join me by tantalizing your tastebuds with this delicious soup, read on for the recipe details.

A Swirling Treat

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A combination of vanilla and chocolate S W I R L E D together to make a marbled effect. Oh, and be prepared for a few extra bowls to wash up. This cake is exhausting! Don’t get me wrong its a wonderfully delicious and moist cake, but it takes a little longer starting from scratch! But, of course all the more fun, when taking a knife, cutting a slice and seeing exactly what patterned you’ve made. Read on for the recipe…

Angel Powder Puffs

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Hello All, This is an incredibly easy recipe,which can be whipped up in minutes, baked in 3 minutes, and then filled in no time, for a very impressive dessert. These are called Angel Powder Puffs. They’re so light and fluffy and literally melt in your mouth, even in one bite size. Not hard to make, I whipped them up this afternoon for a afternoon school break up treat. This recipe has been adapted from my local towns ‘Family Favourites’ Kindergarten Apex Cookbook. It was compiled by a couple of trained Home Science Teachers who compiled family proven recipes from the local ladies of the township, hoping to successfully raise funds from the selling of this cookbook to improve facilities at the existing Kindergarten. This cookbook has been on my families cookbook shelf for a while and consists of easy, no fuss and fail proof recipes…and the soiled sheets of this cookbook proves that many a recipe has been tried over and over again. However, a quick phone call to my Mum, to check on the …

Fluffy Pink centered Chocolate Eggcups & Tea

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“Entertaining is a memory business because the pleasures of your hospitality become immortal in the memories of your guests.” The whimsical setting of our afternoon included feathered friends, Spring nests, Royal Albert teacups and charming chocolate delights filled with fluffy pink mousse.I couldn’t resist pearls, satin ribbons and silver. Antique Easter images and eggs. The afternoon sunlight filtering through the window, and the underlying music , left us under an inspiring cloud  capturing the finer things, and forgotten memories. I made these dainty coconut rough chocolate and mousse eggcups and used the same method in making these as my birds nests here   Continue reading to see my Tea Service and Recipe…

Hippety Hoppety..Easter’s..on its way!

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Easter nest cupcakes have been on my mind for a while now…after reading about them somewhere..(honestly can’t remember), and then finding a recipe on the back of  the mini coloured Easter eggs. The recipe used the chocolate bar flake, but I decided to make a coconut rough mixture instead and actually make a nest form. I had a few ideas for these cupcakes and sort of rolled them all into one. Read on for my Easter nest cupcake ideas…